Practice

The STEAM initiative at the Office of the Provost offers a Community of Practice (CoP) on STEAM where the arts and humanities meet with the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. Under the leadership of Matt Jolly (GWCC) and Pushpa Ramakrishna (DO), faculty meet once a month during the semester in order to collaborate and build knowledge on various aspects of STEAM including interdisciplinary and convergence education. In addition, Jeni Ussery (PC) and Pushpa Ramakrishna (DO) offered a Community of Practice on Antiracist Teaching in Spring 2023. Bob Gibney (PC) and Pushpa Ramakrishna (DO) are offering the Community of Practice on Antiracist teaching and learning in Fall 2023. 

Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger coined the term community of practice which refers to the “process of social learning that occurs when people who have a common interest in some subject or problem collaborate over an extended period to share ideas, find solutions, and build innovations.” In higher education, a community of practice brings together a group of educators united by a common professional interest. The group is led by its members with an emphasis on exploring best practices through examination of published research and sharing of members’ own classroom strategies and approaches.

Under our model, each CoP will be limited to twenty five members. The CoP will meet monthly for one hour. Each meeting will be led by one or two volunteer leaders from the group, and the topic will be determined by those volunteer leaders. They may present on recent research, lead discussions around relevant articles or share an educational practice. They can also choose to discuss topics such as equitable and inclusive practices, use of High Impact Practices in STEAM education, future of STEAM education, and using learner-centered models to prepare students to meet the demands of the 21st century workforce. We are also offering a community of practice on Antiracist teaching and learning. 

We invite all stakeholders including faculty, staff, and administrators to participate in these communities. Please contact Dr. Pushpa Ramakrishna at Pushpa.ramakrishna@domailmaricopa.edu if you are interested in participating in these CoP.

Team: Pushpa Ramakrishna (DO), Matt Jolly (GWCC)

The Community of practice will be led by Matt Jolly (GWCC), Bob Gibney(PC), and Pushpa Ramakrishna (DO) in Fall 2023. The meeting dates are as follows:

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM):

Pushpa Ramakrishna and Matt Jolly

2nd Thursdays: 2:00-3:00, 9/14, 10/12, 11/9

Antiracist Teaching & Learning:

Bob Gibney and Pushpa Ramakrishna

3rd Thursdays: 2:00 to 3:00, 9/21, 10/19, 11/16

Community of practice committee:
Matt Jolly, jolly@gatewaycc.edu (Lead)
Michael Dzbenski, michael.dzbenski@gatewaycc.edu

Bob Gibney, bob.gibney@phoenixcollege.edu

Craig Jacobsen, jacobsen@mesacc.edu
Nikki Niesett, nikki.nieset@cgc.edu

Pushpa Ramakrishna, pushpa.ramakrishna@domail.maricopa.edu

Jennifer Strickland, jennifer.strickland@mesacc.edu
Jeni Ussery, jen2092094@phoenixcollege.edu